HRC praises Auckland mum for speaking out

Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy
has praised an Auckland mother of four who went public after
humiliating treatment by staff at The Warehouse.

Irie Te
Wehi-Takerei was wrongfully accused of shoplifting at The
Warehouse near Auckland Airport recently.

“Irie
did nothing wrong and was publically humiliated by staff.
Even when it was clear she did nothing wrong, she had to ask
for an apology,” said Dame Susan.

“This is not
good enough. While it’s positive The Warehouse eventually
made amends, it’s disappointing that they only did so
because of Irie’s own determination.”

A month
ago Hamilton woman Rikki Cooper was racially profiled while
shopping at her local Countdown store . Irie says hearing
what Rikki went through helped her make the brave decision
to go public with her own story of humiliation.

Dame
Susan urges organisations and companies like the Warehouse
“to do the right thing and to train their staff about how
to treat people with respect: it’s not much to ask.”

“It is up to individuals. Everyday New Zealanders
need to ask themselves: am I treating these people with
respect? Would I want my mother or child to be treated like
this?,” said Dame Susan.

“It’s not an easy
thing to go public about being belittled and shamed. We
should be very grateful for New Zealanders like Irie and
Rikki who tell their stories because they do so on all our
behalf.”

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